dual boot deleting one OS

[ssahl]

I have a dual boot set up with Win98 on the C: drive & Win2k on drive d:
Win2k has big problems and I would like to format the D: drive and then reinstall it (XP) I still want to use Win98 and I dont want anything to mess that up, but since it was there before I put Win2k on it cant I just go ahead and do that (format the D: drive) I know I should edit the boot.ini file, but I was thinking I would rather delete it along with some other files on the C: drive that are there because of Win2k. Here are the names of some of those files, and they are all in C:\ part of the drive. Some of these I'm not sure if I can delete or not without causing problems, if there's one of these files in the list I should not delete or edit please someone tell me.

System.1st
ntdetect.com
jswx.log
sysparse.reg
sysparse.log
perform.log
Cldma.log
Boot.ini
ntldr
Suhdlog.dat
txtsetup.sif
Detlog.txt
Bootlog.txt
Boot.bak
Bootsect.dos
Bootlog.prv

drives C: & D: are both on the same harddrive along with E: (which has no OS on it) and all are partitioned in FAT32 if I do this will I be able to install WinXP (after formating d: to NTFS)
and have it work like it should with a dual boot setup? I'm not sure but I know if there is no ntldr file I will not be able to boot up and it will tell me that it's missing, but this file was never needed before I put Win2k on there, I always thought that this message was because of the ntdetect.com file that is also on the C:\ drive, but I have never tested that theory out. I have formated the second drive of a dual boot setup before and reinstalled it, but aside from editing the boot.ini file I left all files alone on the C:\ drive.
Since I have first installed Win98 I have way more files then the original 5 or 6 I started with in this directory, after so long I have a hard time remembering where each file came from, what it does and so forth. One last bit of info, Win98 has had lots of added software/use/changes but the Win2k had had very few programs added with very little changes and almost no use.

I have nothing at all against Win2k at all, it's just I now know Win98 to good to just stop using it. If what I want to do will in fact work ok I will probable install it back on the system along with XP.

[ssahl]

Is there anybody out there?

[glc]

Here is what I would do - and someone correct me if I'm wrong........

Boot up with a 98 bootdisk, delete boot.ini, ntdetect.com, and ntldr. Format D, and then sys C. Then make sure you can boot into 98 - if it won't, boot with the floppy again and do a fdisk/mbr, try it again. Then boot with the XP cd and install it on D, leaving it FAT32 for now. After XP is all set, you can convert D to NTFS if you want.

[ssahl]

Ok why leave FAT32? I can get around that being able to access it thing. If there are other problems with NFTS I would like to know. I have seen some posts in here that say they dont like NTFS, I thought that it preforms alot better, which would be the only reason I would want to use it, if it doesnt then I will just leave it FAT32.

[glc]

I am simply saying that if you want NTFS, convert after the fact. XP should have a built-in converter - 2K does. The reason I say this is so you make minimal changes to your partitioning during the install.

FAT32 is faster, NTFS is more robust and has more security options. Take your pick.

[ssahl]

faster, FAT32 it is! Any special reason I should boot from a 98 disk to delete those files?

[glc]

You are going to be re "sys" ing your 98 installation, better do it with the same OS, don't ya think?

[ssahl]

Makes since, question though. When you 'sys' a floppy disk it only puts 3 files on there. (if I remember right)
Command.com
Io.sys
Msdos.sys

I didnt plan on doing anything to those files (that are on the c: drive) If I 'sys' the C: drive does that do more then add or replace only those 3 files?

[glc]

You need to sys the C drive with a full 98 startup bootdisk in order to restore the 98 boot sector. Remember that when you installed your first dual boot, the 2K bootloader took over that function, that's why you are dumping those 3 files I indicated.

[ssahl]

Ok, I kind of understand, at any rate I see what you mean, win98 would not boot up after I deleted those files, but had no problem after I 'sys' the c: drive. Thanks for your help. Before I did delete those files though, I had moved them into 'my documents' folder and on each of the files properties I unchecked the read only and hiddon. (ntldr & ntdetect.com---and I did this in case I had to move them back) but when I booted up from a 98 boot disk and looked in the folder I was not able to see them. I dont understand why. I guess it's just a really good thing that you guys here give out the good (correct) information that you do.
Thanks again.